Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Review
Meet the 4Ever DLX, one of Graco’s most popular car seats in its lineup. Graco has updated the 4Ever DLX to conform to the newest federal safety standards. While manufacturers aren't yet required to comply with the new regulations, Graco has been designing its seats to meet them since last year. If you already own an older 4Ever, there's no need to worry—your seat is still safe to use because it meets the federal standards that were in effect when it was manufactured. Graco was also conducting its own side impact testing on previous models long before the new requirements were introduced.
There are now four current versions of the 4Ever (not counting the discontinued models), and each offers a different mix of features. That gives parents more options, but it can also make choosing the right one a little confusing. This review focuses on the standard 4Ever DLX, and we'll also give you a quick overview of the other models so you can easily see what sets each one apart.
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WEIGHT AND HEIGHT LIMITS:
Rear-facing: 4-40 lbs. AND child’s head is 1” below height adjustment handle AND 49” or less
Forward-facing: 26.5-65 lbs., 49” or less
Highback booster: 40-100 lbs., 43-57”, at least 4 years old
Backless booster: 40-120 lbs., 43-57”, at least 4 years old
4EVER DLX OVERVIEW:
Adjustable base with 3 rear-facing recline positions, 3 forward-facing recline positions, 1 booster recline position
No re-thread harness with 10 position headrest
Built-in forward-facing seat belt lockoff
Easy-to-read bubble level indicator
Energy-absorbing EPS foam
Fuss-free buckle pockets keep harness out of the way for loading and unloading
On-board harness storage for booster mode
Steel reinforced frame
Two cup holders
Machine-washable RapidRemove cover
10 yr lifespan before seat expires
MSRP $319.99
The 4Ever DLX comes in 4 fashions:
Here are the other four models of the 4Ever, with a few of their features:
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4-40 lbs. RF | 26.5-65 lbs. FF | 40-100 lbs. HBB | 40-120 lbs. Backless
Same basic features as 4Ever DLX plus:
10% slimmer design than 4Ever DLX (17.325”)
Has SnugLock belt tensioning lockoff
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4-40 lbs. RF | 26.5-65 lbs. FF | 40-100 lbs. HBB | 40-120 lbs. Backless
Same basic features as 4Ever DLX plus:
Side impact tested to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)
Machine washable cover, but not RapidRemove
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4-50 lbs. RF | 26.5-65 lbs. FF | 40-100 lbs. HBB | 40-120 lbs. Backless
Same basic features as 4Ever DLX plus:
50 lbs. max RF weight limit
5” extension panel provides extra legroom when RF
Machine washable cover, but not RapidRemove
MEASUREMENTS:
Harness height: 6 ½” with infant insert / 7 ½ ” without insert–18”
Shoulder belt guide height: 19”
External widest point: 19 ¼ ”
Shell height with headrest: 30”
Shoulder width: 12 ½”
Crotch strap depth: inner slot: 2 ½” with insert, 4 ½” without insert; outer slot: 6 ½”
Seat depth: 12 ½”
Seat weight: 22 lbs.
4EVER DLX INSTALLATION:
The 4Ever DLX installs like a dream: super easy and doesn’t take up a whole lot of room in your back seat front-to-back. However, this won’t be your go-to for a 3-across since it’s a little over 19″ at its widest point. There’s a reason why the 4Ever DLX has been around forever: it’s easy to install!
Rear-Facing Installation
When rear-facing, any of reclines 1-3 can be used to achieve an appropriate recline.
The bottom cover unVelcros and unsnaps from the front for access to the RF belt path
The 4Ever DLX has a bubble recline indicator which means you have a range where you place the seat when rear-facing. If you’re using the car seat for a young infant, you’ll want the bubble to be closest to the rear of the vehicle. If the child is older and can be more upright, the bubble can be closer to the front of the vehicle.
Installation was easy using either LATCH or seat belt in the vehicles in which I placed the 4Ever DLX. The LATCH connectors are Graco’s InRight™ push-on style, nicer and easier to use than the hook-on style.
Forward-Facing Installation
Kiddos under 40 lbs. must use recline positions #4 or #5, while kids over 40 lbs. must use position #6.
Unsnap the back cover for access to the belt path and lockoff.
Probably the most challenging part of the installation will be moving the LATCH strap from the rear-facing belt path to the forward-facing belt path. The strap is anchored under a metal bar on the inside of the car seat. It’s easy, though. Pull all the LATCH connectors close together, then slide it up the metal bar; slide it behind the harness and through the forward-facing belt path. Fortunately, we have a video to show you how (and hey, give us a follow while you’re there 😃):
LATCH Weight Limits:
Rear-facing LATCH weight limit: 40 lbs.
Forward-facing LATCH weight limit: 45 lbs.
Center LATCH installations with Non-Standard Spacing:
Not allowed. Lower anchors must be spaced the standard 11” apart.
Inflatable Seat Belts:
Graco has determined that the 4Ever DLX CAN be installed with inflatable seat belts found in some Ford Motor Company vehicles. Other types of inflatable seat belts are still incompatible for use with the 4Ever DLX. When installing the car seat with an inflatable seat belt, make sure the lockoff is closed and thread the seat belt over the top of it. Lock the retractor to make sure the seat belt stays tight.
Even in my Tesla Model 3 center seating position, which is a notoriously difficult installation, the 4Ever DLX installed quite easily both rear- and forward-facing.
Booster Installation:
The harness is stored on-board in the storage compartment. There’s plenty of room for the chest clip, buckle tongs, and backless booster shoulder belt guide (the black strap with the light gray plastic loop). If you decide to take the back off to use it as a backless booster, keeping it stored here assures it’s nice and neat. While you’re still using the harness, store the shoulder belt guide for backless booster use in there so you don’t lose it. Tech tip: recline the car seat first and the harness will stay put more easily in the compartment and you won’t need to be an octopus and wrangle it vertically.
When used as a highback booster, the seat can be secured with LATCH up to 100 lbs., the maximum weight limit as a highback booster. If the LATCH strap or connectors interfere with the vehicle buckle or seat belt in any way, store it through the forward-facing belt path on the car seat instead.
The recline position must be set to position 6, which is most upright.
Without the back, the booster has a steep slope which can be exacerbated by the recline of some vehicle seats. Some kids may have issues with their legs falling asleep and need something soft to rest their feet on (such as pillows, a rolled sleeping bag, a styrofoam cooler, etc.).
CHILD FIT:
It’s a Graco 4Ever, so it fit my child model great and he was comfy and loved it. Even without the infant inserts, the bottom cover is thick and soft.
Fit of the smallest babies should be OK. Let me show you 2 pictures of a preemie doll (supposedly sized at 4-lbs.) in the seat. The first pic shows the preemie doll perched all the way back on the “bump” of the infant insert. The shoulders are where I would consider them to be just above the lowest harness slot position. In the second pic, the doll is positioned just in front of the bump, as if the doll/baby has settled into the seat. Now the shoulders are just at the slots. This positioning could be helped with a crotch roll, especially when the baby is placed on top of the bump of the insert. The preemie doll is roughly the size of a 6-lb. infant (when I’ve held it side-by-side to an actual infant), so I think it would be better to list the 4Ever DLX from 5 lbs. minimum so it doesn’t try to over-extend itself. Either that or Graco needs to provide low birthweight padding for parents who want to use the 4Ever DLX with low birthweight babies, similar to those found in infant seats.
Preemie doll on bump, leaving gap at buckle; shoulders above slots
Preemie doll not on bump, up against buckle; shoulders at slots
C is 6 yrs old, weighs around 49 lbs., and is 46” tall. We installed the seat in the 3rd row of his family’s 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The headrest is adjusted to its highest position and he has a little bit of room left to grow.
The only other mention my models had was they felt like their knees were higher than their bums in backless booster mode and they felt awkward. When the back was on the seat, it was a less pronounced feeling because of that support pushing them forward a bit. It could also be a factor of my vehicle seat as well. Look at it this way: it’s a bonus that it converts to a backless booster, but it’s very bulky and I think by the time most kids are of the age where they’re using a backless booster, they’ll want something a little less conspicuous.
The 4Ever DLX has a seat insert with side bolsters, head support, body support pad, and harness covers.
Seat Insert with Side Bolsters (4-40 lbs. weight limit): Must use rear-facing; must use forward-facing if child is under 40 lbs.; each bolster snaps into the shell with a plastic pin
Head support (20 lbs. weight limit): Use rear-facing only AND WITH the infant body support; use is optional
Infant Body Support (20 lbs. weight limit): Use rear-facing only on top of the seat insert with side bolsters; must be used if shoulders are below the lowest harness setting; once shoulders are above the lowest harness setting, use is optional
Harness covers: Use is optional; place over top of shoulders; make sure they don’t interfere with chest clip placement at armpit level
COVER/MAINTENANCE/EASE OF USE:
The cover can be thrown in the washing machine on gentle cycle. Hang to dry. The Rapid Remove cover technically has 5 pieces, but you’ll probably only ever remove the main 4 pieces:
A cover for the head wings and down behind the child’s back,
A cover for the torso side areas,
A well-padded cover for the base/backless booster portion (nice since you won’t have to remove the whole cover just for a pee accident),
And a trim piece that fits just in front of the child’s knees and around the cup holders.
The fifth piece is kind of hidden behind the headrest and is what the torso piece Velcros to so it doesn’t move around.
A note about washing the Seat Insert with Side Bolsters: you’ll need to remove the foam pieces in the bolsters before washing, then remember to put them back in. They’re there to help with side impact protection so it’s essential not to lose them.
Removing and replacing the covers can be considered easy. The head and front trim pieces have a couple of elastics to fish through and secure, but it’s more a hassle than it is difficult. I really like the Rapid Remove cover because you can select the section that needs to be cleaned instead of washing the whole thing.
The cup holders are required to be attached. Listen for a solid “click” to know they’re attached properly; you will hear it for sure. I didn’t remove the cover surrounding the cup holders when I attached mine and thought they had clicked in, but they kept popping off. Totally user error on my part, but be sure to pull the cover off to make sure those cup holders are on securely.
Another favorable mention goes to the instructions. The instruction manual is thorough, color-coded to match the labels on the seat, and easy-to-read.
FAA/LIFESPAN/CRASH GUIDELINES:
The 4Ever DLX is FAA-approved when used with the harness. If you’re using it as a booster seat, you can’t use it on the plane because booster seats require lap/shoulder belts. Honestly, this isn’t a car seat I’d prefer to travel with because at 22 lbs., it’s on the heavier side for a travel seat. If you put it on a cart or can squeeze it onto a stroller, that’s a different story, but then you have to carry it over the airplane seats (because you’re using it on the plane, right?).
This car seat has a lifespan of 10 years from the date of manufacture. It must be replaced after any crash, including a minor one.
4EVER DLX ADVANTAGES:
3 rear-facing recline positions, 3 forward-facing recline positions, 1 booster recline position
Easy access to both RF and FF belt paths
Built-in forward-facing seat belt lockoff
On-board harness storage for booster mode so you don’t lose the harness
Steel reinforced frame
Deluxe push-on LATCH connectors
Two cup holders
RapidRemove cover, which is easy to remove in pieces for cleaning
Lots of padding in the bottom cover for kid comfort
Machine-washable cover
Quick start guide gets you going with the car seat out of the box
10 yr lifespan before seat expires
4EVER DLX DISADVANTAGES:
Relatively short shoulder belt guide in highback booster mode
CONCLUSION:
The Graco 4Ever DLX has remained one of the most popular 4-in-1 car seats for more than a decade—and for good reason. It's straightforward to install, easy to adjust as your child grows, and comfortable for everyday use. Those features help explain the seat's staying power, and they also account for the many versions Graco has added over the years.
If you're looking for a long-lasting car seat that's easy to live with and fits well in most vehicles, the 4Ever DLX continues to be an excellent choice.
Thank you to Graco for providing the Graco 4Ever DLX used for this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions expressed are those of the author.